Artistic creation for interior decoration and human comfort



Aug. 5, 1941. R. A. GONZALEZ ARTISTIC CREATION FOR INTERIOR DECORATION AND HUMAN COMFORT 2 Shee Filed May 24, 1939 ts-Sheet l 11v VENTOR BY Rafae/A. Gonza/ez A WJM P4221 AM A TTORNEYS.

* 1941- v R. A. GONZALEZ ,7

ARTISTIC CREATION FOR INTERIOR DECORATIONAND HUMAN COMFORT Filed May 24, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 11v VENTOR Rafae/ A Gonzalez BY A 215a. iii m A TTORNE Y5.

Patented Aug. 5, 1941 ARTISTIC CREATION FOR INTERIOR DECORATION AND HUMAN COMFORT Rafael A. Gonzalez, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Chrysler Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application May 24, 1939, Serial No. 275,441

7 Claims.

My present invention relates to an artistic creation for interior decoration which serves the utilitarian purpose of contributing to the comfort of persons in proximity thereto.. Specifically,

the invention comprises apparatus simulating the appearance of a natural object, statuary, or other like objects, the interior of which includes means for circulating a chilling medium therethrough whereby the exterior surface of the artistic creation may be chilled to any desired extent.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide means of the type heretofore described, which may be conveniently and artistically located in an enclosure, the surface of said means being chilled below the body temperature of human beings so that persons adjacent thereto may experience a feeling of comfort in warm weather due to the radiation of heat fromthemselves to the surface of the creation;

Another object of the invention is to provide means as heretofore described, the surface of which may be chilled to such an extent as to cause the condensation thereon of atmospheric moisture whereby persons in an enclosure in which the artistic creation is located may experience a feeling of comfort due to the lowering of the relative humidity of the air in the enclosure.

Another object of the invention is to provide means of the type heretofore described, the surface of which may be chilled to such an extent below the freezing temperature of water that atmospheric water vapor will condense thereon and immediately form crystals and needles of frost, thereby causing said means to assume the appearance of an object created entirely of frost. The artistic value of such an object may be further enhanced by playing colored lights thereon which causes the frost to sparkle and glitter in a pleasing manner; and as heretofore set forth, the atmosphere of the enclosure will be improved due to "the lowering of the relative humidity to aid human comfort, and in addition, a feeling of comfort may be induced by the radiation of body heat from adjacent human beings to the artistic creation.

The specific form of the invention set forth and disclosed herein comprises an artistic creation simulating the appearance of a palm tree, the trunk of which is chilled to the extent desired by the operator of the chilling system. An object of the present invention is to provide means whereby the trunk of such a palm tree, orof be formed and provided with circulating means for the passage of a chilling medium therethrough.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the moisture condensing on the trunk of such an object in the form of water or frost may be removed and conveniently disposed without flooding the surrounding fioor area.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide an artistic creation comprising a trunk or'body portion and a crown of spreading branches or arms in which the branches or arms are so connected to the trunk or body portion as to be yieldably adjoined thereto in order that the branches or arms may wave when natural or artificial .air currents are directed against said branches or arms.

A further object of the invention is to provide means comprising a creation such as heretofore described including a crown of fronds having leaf simulating members attached thereto, which fronds are of such a character as to simulate the appearance of the body portion of the creation when chilled and frosted, and which leaf portions when disturbed by natural or artificial air currents will rustle whereby to create a sound simulating the sound of natural leaves disturbed by a breeze.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a study of the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising an artistic creation simulating the appearance of a palm tree;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through the trunk of the palm tree showing the means for circulating a chilling medium therethrough and the means for disposing of melted frost;

t Fig.- 3 is a plan view of the crown of the palm ree;

Fig. 4 is a partial view on an enlarged scale of the top of the trunk and the bases of the fronds or branches showing the method of attaching the fronds thereto, the view being partially in section along line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section of an individual frond taken substantially along line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a typical trunk section; and,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the base of the trunk prior to the assembly thereto of the main similar relatively tall, slender creations, may trunk bodyin an enclosure in accordance with the disclosure of the copendin'g application of Raymond Loewy, Serial No. 275,477, filed concurrently herewith, in which application the use of artistic creations of the type herein disclosed and claimed in combination with an enclosure, said enclosure being provided with air conditioning means including outlets so directed as to cause a stream of air to impinge against thecrown sections, is set-forth and claimed. The actual structure whereby the advantages related in the aforesaid application are obtained is disclosed and claimed in the present application. v

Referring to Fig. 1 there is disclosed an artistic creation comprising a shell 20 formed by welding the end edges of substantially cylindrical steel.

segments 2| and sections 22 together to form a substantially cylindrical, tubular shell of varying cross-sectional diameter and artistically contoured whereby to create a pleasing appearance, surmounted by a crown 25 comprising a plurality of branches 26 including leaf portions 21 mounted on stems 28, the branches 26 being mounted in a crown attaching member 30 fixed to the top of the body portion shell 20. The. creation is mounted in a shallow well 3| set fiush with the floor of the enclosure and filled with pebbles 32,

A circ ating system for the chilling medium including eans for obtaining and maintaining a constant temperature within the interiors of of .the uppermost section- 36 in'brder that air may be released from the interior space between the outer shell 20 and the inner shell 45 when a fluid chilling medium is admitted thereto, the i vent cock 55 being preferably hidden among leaf- 1 like elements of the crown attachment member 30. When the chilling medium, which is preferably a brine (which may be an actual salt solution or, as the term is commonly used in the or other porous materiahcovering the base of the creation and of such a nature as to support the other ends are preferably straight so as to rest upon the flared ends of the immediately adjacent sections and form therewith crevices which are filled with welding material joining the sections together and forming joints having smooth, sloping contours whereby moisture may drain from each section. The uppermost section of the trunk or body portion comprises a special section 36 open at the lower end and provided with a cap 31closing the upper end of the hollow shell formed by the welded sections. The lowermost section 22 fits within a special section 38 having a flange 39 which is preferably welded to a heavy base plate 40 of large diameter which may be fastened to the floor of well 3| by means of. bolts '4l imbedded therein, whereby the well 3| forms a firm foundation for the artistic creation.

An inner shell is preferably welded to the base plate 40 and to the uppermost portion of a central inlet pipe 46 whereby to form a narrow annular space adjacent the inner surface of the shell 20. The inlet pipe 46 extends horizontally through the lowermost section 22 and through the pebbles or filler 32 to a source of supply for a chilling medium, and extends upwardly to a point adjacent the cap 31 of the uppermost section 36 whereby chilling medium is directed to the top of the space between the outer shell of body portion-26 and the inner shell 45. The chilling medium flows downward through the annular space and is ejected through a return pipe 41 welded to the outer shell and extending through the filler 32 to the source of chilling medium. The inlet pipe 46 may be joined to the inner shell 45 by conveniently spaced braces 48, and the outer shell or trunk 20 may be joined to the inner shell 45 by conveniently spaced braces 49 having openings 50 therethrough to the flow of chilling medium.

art, may be an organic compound capable 01' having its temperature lowered to a considerable extent below 0 F. without congealing, such as diethylene glycol), is admitted to the interior of the body portion, persons near the body portion will feel a cooling sensation due to radiation of body heat from themselves ,to the chilled surfaces. If the brine is at a temperature low enough for the purpose, atmospheric moisture will condense on the chilled surface and, as is preferred, if the brine is at a temperature considerably below the freezing point of water, such condensed moisture will instantly assume the form of frost, thus enhancing the artistic appearance of the body-portion. The frost needles and crystals will form on the tree trunk as long as brine is circulated therethrough, and if the circulation of brine is stopped the accumulated frost will soon melt and the water thus formed will run down the surface of the sections into the well 3|, sinking through the filler 32 and escaping from the Well through a drain pipe 56 leading to a suitable moisture disposal system.

The crown portion 25 comprises the crown attachment member 30 which includes a cup 60 bolted to the cap of member 36 by bolts-6| and insulated therefrom by a heat insulating pad 62 in order'to'prevent chilling of the surface of the cup. .A wooden block 63 is suitably retained in cup 60 asby means of screws 64, and a layer 65 of insulating material, such as asphalt, may be placed in the bottom of the cup further to insulate the crown structure from the frosted portion of the structure. The wooden block 63 is provided with a plurality of angularly disposed holes 10 in which the stems 28 of the branches 26 are placed and retained therein by a suitable mastic composition H which is preferably of such character as to retain thestems while permitting slight movement and rotation thereof when the branches are disturbed by air currents as previously set forth. The entire surface of the crown attaching member may be coated with a layer 12 of mastic for the purpose of attaching thereto a plurality of decorative, fabric members 13 serving. to conceal the attachment joint and the I As best seen in Fig. 5, the stem portions of the branches preferably comprise iron rods 28 which permit are covered with a fabric covering 15, and the leaf I portions 21 comprise a fabric attached to the stem covering 75. The fabric of the leaf portions may be of semi-rigid character, such as afforded by materials of the type represented by buckram, wire screening'or metallic gauze, so as to maintain substantially the shape and appearance imparted thereto while yielding and fluttering when disturbed by air currents.

The entire branch structure is preferably coated with a decorative paint or enamel such as indicated at 16 in order to impart a desired color thereto, and a plurality of sparkling particles such as mica flakes 'Il are adhered to the outer surface thereof in order that the illusion may be created that the surfaces of the branch structures are frosted. When used in an air conditioned structure having air stream directing outlets adjacent thereto, the leaves flutter and rustle in simulation of the appearance and sound.of natural leaves, and the pleasing effect is greatly enhanced by the sparkling and glittering of the particles 11.

Having illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the same may assume many modifications in arrangement and detail, and the invention may be embodied in artistic creations of many difierent designs. All such as come within the scope of the following claims are considered a part of my invention.

I claim:

1. An artistic creation serving the utilitarian purpose of contributing to the comfort of human beings in an enclosure in which the artistic cre-' ation may be placed comprising a rigid, self-sustaining, substantially tubular shell, means to cir- :ulate a chilling medium through said shell in intimate contact with the inner surface thereof, and means to vent the interior of said shell to the atmosphere in order to release air trapped therein and permit the entire free, interior space of said shell to be filled with chilling medium, said shell comprising a plurality of cylindrical sections having adjacent ends welded together, the welded joints between sections protruding from the normal surface of the shell in simulation of protuberances on the surface of a tree trunk.

2. An artistic creation serving the utilitarian purpose of contributing to the comfort of human beings in an enclosure in which the artistic creation may be placed comprising a rigid, self-sustaining, substantially tubular shell, means to circulate a chilling medium through said shell in intimate contact with the inner surface thereof, and means to vent the interior of said shell to the atmosphere in order to release air trapped therein and permit the entire free, interior space of said shell to be filled with chilling medium, said shell comprising a plurality of cylindrical sections having adjacent ends welded together, the welded joints between sections protruding from the normal surface of the shell in simulation of protuberances on the surface of a tree trunk, said shell being relatively long with respect to its average diameter in simulation of the trunk of a natural tree.

3, An artistic creation serving the utilitarian purpose of contributing to the comfort of human beings in an enclosure in which the artistic creation may be placed comprising a rigid, self-sustaining, substantially tubular shell, means to circulate a chilling medium through said shell in intimate contact with the inner surface thereof, means to vent the interior of said shell to the atmosphere in order to release air trapped therein and permit the entire free, interior space of said shell to be filled with chilling medium, said shell comprising a plurality of cylindrical sections having adjacent ends welded together, the welded joints between sections protruding from the normal surface of the shell in simulation of protuberances on the surface of a tree trunk, said shell being relatively long with respect to its average diameter in simulation of the trunk of a natural tree, a plurality of branches mounted upon the upper end of said shell and a well structure attached to the lower end of said shell and supporting said artistic creation in an upright position.

4. An artistic creation serving the utilitarian purpose of contributing to the comfort of human beings in an enclosure in which the artistic creation may be placed comprising a rigid, self sustaining, substantially tubular shell, means to circulate a chilling medium through said shell in intimate contact with the inner surface thereof, means to vent the interior of said shell to the atmosphere in order to release air trapped therein and permit the entire free, interior space of said shell to be filled with chilling medium, said shell comprising a plurality of cylindrical sections having adjacent ends welded together, the welded joints between sections protruding from the normal surface ofthe shell in simulation of protuberances on the surface of a tree trunk, said shell being relatively long with respect to its average diameter in simulation of the trunk of'a natural tree, a plurality of branches mounted upon the upper end of said shell and a well structure attached to the lower end of said shell and supporting said artistic creation in an upright position, said well structure comprising means for the collection and disposal of water of condensation draining from the surface of said shell and including a bed of porous material capable of sustaining the weight of persons walking thereover.

5. 'An artistic creation serving the utilitarian purpose of contributing to the comfort of human beings in an enclosure in which the artistic creation may be placed comprising a rigid, selfsustaining, substantially tubular shell, means to circulate a chilling medium through said shell in intimate contact with the inner surface thereof, means to vent the interior of said shell to the atmosphere in order to release air trapped therein and permit the entire free, interior space of said shell to be filled with chilling medium, said shell comprising a plurality of cylindrical sections having adjacent ends welded together, the welded joints between sections protruding from the normal surface of the shell in simulation of protuberances on the surface of a tree trunk, said shell being relatively long with respect to its average diameter in simulation of the trunk of a natural tree, a crown, including a plurality of branches, mounted upon the upper end of said shell and a well structure attached to the lower end of said shell and supporting said artistic creation in an upright position, said well structure comprising means for the collection and disposal of Water of condensation draining from the surface of said shell and including a bed of porous material capable of sustaining the weight of persons walking thereover, said crown including resilient means for the attachment of individual branches thereto whereby said branches may yield when disturbed by air currents.

6. An artistic creation serving the utilitarian purpose of contributing to the comfort of'human beings in an enclosure in which the artistic creation may be placed comprising a rigid, selfsustaining, substantially tubular shell, means to circulate a chilling medium through said shell in intimate contact with the inner surface thereof, means to vent the interior of said shell to the atmosphere in order to release air trapped therein and permit the entire free, interior space from the normal surface of the shell in simulation of protuberances on the surface of a tree trunk, said shell being relatively long with respect to its average diameter in simulation of the trunk of a natural tree, a crown, including a plurality of branches, mounted upon the upper end of said shell and a well structure attached to the lower end of said shell and supporting said artistic creation in an upright position, said well structure comprising means for the collection and disposal of water of condensation draining from the surface of said shell and including a bed of porous material capable of sustaining the weight of persons walking thereover, said crown including resilient means for the attachment of individual branches thereto whereby said branches may yield when disturbed by air currents, said branches including fabric leaf structures of substantially self-sustaining character but sufllciently yieldable to flutter and rustle when disturbed by air currents.

7. An artistic creation serving the utilitarian purpose of contributing to the comfort of human beings in an enclosure in which the artistic creation may be placed comprising a rigid, self-sustaining, substantially tubular shell, means to circulate a chilling medium through said; shell in intimate contact with the inner surface thereof, means to vent the interio of said shell to the atmosphere in order to re ease air trapped of a natural tree, a crown, including a plurality of branches, mounted upon the upper end of said shell and a well structure attached to the lower end of said shell and supporting said artistic creation in an upright position, said wellstructure comprising means for the collection and disposal of water of condensation draining from the surface of said shell and including a bed of porous material capable of sustaining the weight of person walking thereover, said crown including resilient means'for the attachment of individual branches thereto whereby said branches may yield when disturbed by air currents, said branches including fabric leaf structures of substantially self-sustaining character but sufliciently yieldable to flutter and rustle when disturbed by air currents and having light-reflecting particles deposited on the surfaces thereof.

AEL A. GONZALEZ. 

